The Levels at the Canadian Elite Academy explained.

Hey,  everyone!  I thought the video might better explain the new tiering system we will use at the Canadian Elite Academy from now on!

I’m so excited,  to share the big news about our Academy new tier system to better serve our athletes.  

Whether you're just starting in volleyball or working toward the end of your high school or club volleyball career,  we’ve got a program for you!

This new system will allow interested athletes to find better the sessions where they will fit in based on their skill level,  experience and past involvement in the Academy sessions 

"Let’s start from the beginning.  Our new structure is designed to help athletes progress based on both their age and skill level.  Here's how it works. "

The lowest tier on the new system is NexGen!

"The first four levels in our tier system—NEXGEN through ADVANCED—have no enforced restrictions in registration… However… the top two tiers,  ELITE 1 and ELITE 2… are different.  These sessions can only be attended by athletes… who have been awarded ELITE status… based on their skills… and experience… This ensures… that every athlete in these sessions is at a similar high level of play. "

"The lower skill and age levels… although not enforced… are a responsibility of the parents and guardians to respect.  No matter how talented an athlete may be… without the maturity of age… and a foundation of basic skills… placing them in a higher session… could be detrimental to other athletes in that group.  It’s important to ensure… they’re ready for that level of competition. "

"The Academy is designed to give every athlete the tools they need… to be better at volleyball tomorrow… than they are today.  Our coaches can focus more efficiently… and productively… when athletes are grouped by similar age and skill levels.  Don’t hurt the progress of other athletes… by placing your athlete in a higher tier… than their skill or age would dictate. "

"Never enroll an athlete in a session… just because it fits their busy schedule… but doesn’t match their skill level.  This creates a bad situation for both… your athlete… and the others in the group… forcing the coach to spend time on skills that don’t align with the intended focus of that session. "

"Our NexGen sessions are for athletes aged 11 to 13. This is the starting point,  where we focus on developing the core fundamentals of volleyball.  Think of it as the first step in building a solid foundation.   If an athlete is new to the sport and in elementary school this is where to start until they have attended a few of the foundational sessions at the academy. "

"Next,  we have our Basic sessions.  This tier is typically for elementary school athletes who are still learning the ropes and mastering the basics of the game.   Without the foundation of the basic skills an athlete would find the intermediate level sessions frustrating! "

"Once athletes enter junior high,  many of them are ready for our Intermediate sessions.  Here,  the focus is on refining their skills and preparing them for competitive play.  Junior high athletes get to challenge themselves in a more competitive environment. "

"At the Advanced level,  we work with athletes who either have more than two years of experience in club volleyball or are playing on their senior high school teams.  These sessions are geared toward sharpening their skills and tactical understanding of the game. "

"Welcome to the ELITE 1 or ELITE 2 level evaluation,  where the best become unstoppable!  If you’re ready to elevate your game,  this is your chance.  But remember—this isn’t just a session.  It’s your opportunity to earn ELITE status and train with the most dedicated athletes. "

"You cannot access ELITE 1 or ELITE 2 sessions without earning this status.  The Canadian Elite Academy is introducing ELITE Sessions for high-performance athletes who are ready to stand above the rest.  Think you’ve got what it takes? "

"Why ELITE 1 and ELITE 2? These sessions are built for athletes who don’t just want to improve—they want to dominate.  Here's what makes our ELITE program different. "

"ELITE 1 athletes can access every session we offer,  while ELITE 2 athletes have access to everything except ELITE 1 sessions.  Either way,  you're competing at the highest level,  refining every skill,  and building a path to success. "

"Think you’re ELITE 1 or ELITE 2 material?  Here’s what we’re looking for. "

"To be considered for ELITE 1, you must be between 15 and 18 years old and meet these criteria:

Played high school volleyball every year

Two years of club volleyball

Attended key Academy programs

Recognized as a School Day Select athlete or part of a provincial team. "

"For ELITE 2, athletes need to be between 13 and 18 years old and meet similar,  but slightly broader,  requirements. "

"Both levels demand that you prove your performance,  work ethic,  and commitment.  What volleyball awards have you received?  How has your work ethic been recognized?  Are you a leader on and off the court?  These are the things we want to know. "

"If selected,  you’ll receive a Canadian Elite Academy Select shirt.  And don’t worry—if you’re not selected,  your application fee can go toward your next session.  The more dedicated athletes should aim for ELITE status,  because this is where the true competitors train.  Are you ready? "

"So… whether you're just starting out in NexGen… or pushing yourself in the ELITE sessions… the Canadian Elite Academy has a path for you.  Ready to join us… and unlock your full potential?  Let’s get to work! "

If you want to be evaluated for your Elite 1! or Elite 2! status,  go to the Academy registration site and fill out the  *ELITE 1* and *ELITE 2* Level EVALUATION! !   Good Luck and we hope you all will become ELITE SELECT Status Athletes. 

We hope to see you soon on the court at the Canadian Elite Academy. 

 

Introducing the ELITE Level at Canadian Elite Academy. Get ready for where the absolute top performers become absolutely unstoppable! This is the place where the best of the best push their limits and exceed expectations. It's a thrilling experience you'll never forget!

We are excited to announce the launch of our newest training tier: the ELITE Level Sessions at the Canadian Elite Academy! Why ELITE? Over time, we've noticed a challenge in maintaining groups with similar skill levels and ages in our sessions. To address this, we’ve created the ELITE Level—an exclusive program designed for athletes who demonstrate outstanding skills, commitment, and drive. By adopting this approach, we aim to create a focused environment where high-level athletes can train with peers of similar caliber and be pushed to achieve even greater success. This is not just another session; this is a chance to unlock your full potential, refine your skills, and compete with the most dedicated and talented players in the game. We want our top athletes to gain a status that reflects their hard work and gives them access to sessions tailored to their specific skill level. What is the ELITE Program? The ELITE program is for athletes who are ready to prove they have what it takes to stand above the rest. If you are driven to push your limits and train among the best, this program is for you. Here’s what you can expect in the ELITE Sessions: Advanced Skill Development: Learn and master the most intricate skills, from powerful setting and precise passing to game-winning blocks and lightning-fast digs. Exclusive Training: Train with top coaches and mentors who will push you to reach new levels of greatness. High-Level Competition: Play alongside athletes who share your ambition and commitment, preparing you for even higher levels of competition. Leadership & Teamwork: Learn what it takes to be a leader on and off the court—ELITE athletes aren’t just skilled; they’re role models. Physical and Mental Conditioning: We focus on developing not only your physical strength but also the mental toughness required to excel at the highest levels. Are You ELITE Material? Entry into the ELITE program is by selection only. Athletes must meet specific criteria to be considered for this prestigious level. If you believe you have what it takes, we encourage you to apply! Eligibility & Experience: Age: Must be between 15 and 18 years old (non-negotiable). High School Volleyball: Must have played on your high school volleyball team every year during high school. Club Volleyball: Must have at least two years of club volleyball experience. Academy Participation: Attended a high school Making the Cut camp, or Played at least two years in the Academy beach volleyball program, or Attended more than 10 skill sessions at the Canadian Elite Academy. School Day Select: Were you selected as a School Day Select athlete? Provincial Team: Have you been selected to a provincial team? Performance & Recognition: Volleyball Awards: What awards and recognitions have you received in your volleyball career? Work Ethic & Drive: Can you provide examples where your dedication to volleyball has been acknowledged? Commitment to Volleyball: How do you manage your time between school and volleyball? Describe how you maintain high performance in both areas. Integrity & Teamwork: Share a moment when your integrity or teamwork positively impacted your team. School Grades: What was your average in your most recent school year? Application Process & Benefits A $30 application fee is required to be evaluated as an ELITE athlete. If selected, you will receive an exclusive Canadian Elite Academy Select shirt, which will be presented to you at your first ELITE session. If you are not selected, don’t worry! You can apply the application fee toward your next one-hour session at the Academy. Ready to be ELITE? This is your chance to take your game to the highest level, train with like-minded athletes, and achieve greatness. Think you have what it takes? Apply now and join the best of the best! We look forward to seeing you at the ELITE Level! Elite Level Evaluation Want more info  *ELITE* Making the Cut Camp. There has even been an *ELITE* level Making the Cut Camp added to next August.  It will sell out! Get your Elite Status now, and your t-shirt.  Then register for it before it fills up. Register Act quickly! The non-ELITE sessions have sparked a frenzy of activity, rapidly filling the September to December slots. Due to late announcements, these sessions are filling up at an unprecedented rate. If you're considering attending, don't hesitate—secure your spot now before it's too late! Register So you got Cut off the School Team! Putting in the Time The disappointment of not making your school team has become a reality for many athletes. It is awful as a parent to watch your child experience that disappointment. Being selected to be a school team member is not an easy task. To be the best, you have to practice more than the rest!   Past training, ball contact, playing time and practice are the most significant determining factors in their ability to make the school team. The attempt today is to help parents put their child's disappointment into perspective. When a child comes home and is disappointed they did not make the school team. Make sure, as a parent, you put the blame where it belongs. The first gut instinct is to look for outside people or factors to place the blame. Most of the players on bigger school senior teams are club players and have been involved in organized volleyball for 4-5 years, attended camps and training sessions and worked on a planned approach to becoming better at the sport.   Just having the desire and the natural athletic ability cannot replace this amount of previous ball contact of these veteran players in the sport. A bigger school with two junior high school teams could have over 100 athletes trying out for these teams.   That means there are going to be 75 athletes who are going to experience the disappointment. The schools only have one senior team, which means the 24 athletes who played for the school's junior teams will be cut in half. That is not even considering the players transferring into the school with past volleyball experience. Making the team is not an easy thing. Be proud of your child's willingness to attend the tryouts. Ask them if they genuinely feel they should have been selected for the team. This is an essential question for your child to be able to answer. Knowing how good you are at a sport is a learned skill. Many young athletes are not objective and will look for outside factors to justify why they did not make the team. As a parent do not support this train of thought. The athlete's past effort, activities and sacrifices in their journey to achieving their goal is the single factor which should be used to understand why the tryout was successful or not. Placing blame on the structure, coach, size of the school, and the number of athletes trying out are some easy excuses for why an athlete did not make the team.   But it is not a constructive approach to developing a plan to make it next time as they are all factors over which the athlete has no control. The desire to be on the team is evident because they attended the tryouts, but it is not enough. Do they own a volleyball or have access to one they could use to put in the necessary outside-of-practice touches to compete with the other players? In the past, what activities have they done which would make them better than the others at the tryouts? What actions did they do all summer to prepare them for school tryouts? It takes a lot more than just desire to earn the right to represent the school in a sport. As a school coach, it was always evident which players had put in the time and effort between seasons. It was also the most challenging job to cut a past team member because they did not practice during the off-season more than the rest.   The lack of effort to achieve the desired goal is a hard pill to swallow but a lesson which needs to be learned. A spot on a school team which is given and not earned has little value. The disappointment of not making the team can be the fire to spark the drive needed to set the necessary steps in play to avoid failure the next time. Sometimes, even the effort put in is not enough to achieve the goal.   But the lesson learned here is many times, the journey is the lesson.    I am sorry to hear you did not make the team. The goal was not earned by the athlete's past effort before they went to tryouts. Coaches wish they could keep every player who tryouts, but it would cheapen the value of earning a spot on a school team, and that is the best lesson that can be taught. Encourage your athlete to not quit. Use disappointment as the flame to power the effort to achieve the goal next time. Michael Jordan When I got cut from the Varsity team as a sophomore in high school, I learned something. I knew I never wanted to feel that bad again. I never wanted to have that taste in my mouth, the hole in my stomach. So I set a goal of becoming a starter on the varsity. I can accept failure; everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying again.

Now until December

 

Check out our Calendar

School Day Academy A unique daytime training for athletes with high volleyball goals—designed for those driven to push their limits and excel. Register Private Lessons Tailored to your needs, these sessions allow up to six athletes to choose the focus and coach for personalized growth. Register Standing Serving or Basic Serve Learn the fundamentals of a standing serve—perfect for those just starting their volleyball journey. Register Jump Serving or Advanced Serve Take your serving to new heights with jump serves, focusing on power and precision. Register Basic Hitting Build consistency in your hitting—ideal for athletes still working on footwork and arm swing. Register Advanced Hitting Fine-tune your skills for stronger, more consistent hits, perfecting both footwork and arm swing. Register First Contact Master the skills needed to handle the ball when it first crosses the net, focusing on solid first touches.. Register Individual Defense Keep the ball off the ground with focused techniques on individual defensive movements. Register Advanced Defense Elevate your team defense skills by learning advanced floor coverage strategies. Register Kijima and Defense Drills A fun, high-energy session designed to help you master defensive movements and keep the ball alive. Register Weird and Wonderful Drills Experience the unusual and exciting with drills that are both quirky and effective. Register Volleyball Skills A well-rounded session that covers all the fundamental skills you need to improve your game. Register League Play Get game experience with live league play—your chance to compete and refine your in-game tactics. Register Setting Sessions Improve your hand skills—ideal for setters and any player looking to sharpen their precision and control in setting the ball. Register NexGen Fundamental Development A beginner-focused session that introduces athletes to volleyball basics over two fun-filled hours. Register Making the Cut Camp 2025 Our premier camp designed to prepare athletes for tryouts and elevate their skills—offering top-level training and a competitive edge. Register Don’t Miss Out! Our sessions have been selling out fast in the past, so make sure to secure your spot now. With over 65 new sessions added, there’s something for everyone—but they won’t last long. Get the training you need before it’s too late!

 

What is your goal for Volleyball this season? Is the academy part of that plan? Back to School: What's Your Volleyball Goal This Season? As the new school year kicks off, it's the perfect time to set your sights on your volleyball goals. Are you aiming to make your school team, improve your skills, or simply enjoy the game more? Whatever your goal, we’re here to support you. Is the Academy part of your plan this season? Good Luck at School Tryouts! To all athletes trying out for their school teams in the coming days, we wish you the best of luck! Believe in yourself and give it your all.

Making the Cut Camps Recap This year's five Making the Cut Camps were nothing short of thrilling! A huge mental yell of ELITE for all of you who participated—did you hear it? Feel it? We sure did! Your energy and commitment made these camps an incredible experience, and we can't wait to see how you apply what you’ve learned in the coming season. Making the Cut Camp Contest The sculpture of NAY NAY, the bad passer, was the contest's subject.  Athletes were asked to describe on a recipe card all the wrong things with NAY NAY's passing form.  The recipe card that was best decorated and contained the posture issues. Special mention to Emmy Y. for her card, which featured outstanding artwork and details. Congratulations to Gabrielle L., our NAYNAY Bad Passer Challenge winner, who impressed us with her creative recipe card!  Gabrielle can reach out to the academy to pick up Nay Nay as she won her. Email the Academy What's New at the Academy? We’re excited to announce our upcoming sessions for September and beyond. Leading the lineup is the School Day Academy, an exclusive program for the most dedicated and hardworking volleyball players. This is not just any training session—it’s a personalized, high-level experience designed to unlock your potential. Running Tuesdays from 1-3 pm, Wednesdays from 1-2 pm, and Thursdays from 1-3 pm, these sessions total five hours of focused training each week with Coaches Darren and Chie. Before COVID, this program propelled many athletes toward their peak performance, and we’re bringing it back stronger than ever. If you’re ready to push your limits, this is the place for you. Are you interested? We’ve also scheduled the November and December League for those who might not make their school teams this season. This league offers a chance to stay in the game, gain valuable touches, and continue developing your skills in a competitive environment. Unlike traditional training, this league is structured like a pickup game—refereed but coach-free. If you're seeking skill instruction, keep an eye out for our skill development sessions, which will be announced next week. Register Now Making the Cut Camp 2025   Lastly, we’ve opened registration for the Making the Cut Camps 2025—a must for anyone looking to secure their spot in next year’s camps. With places filling up fast, this is your chance to plan ahead. Stay tuned for more updates, including our skills sessions and other exciting activities coming your way next week. Are you ready to take your game to the next level? Register Now